By Tiffany Allecia M.Ed.

Most of us spend significant time contemplating the idea of a fulfilled life. Our aspiration to ensure that our life is meaningful can seem unending, but that hasn’t been the case for the world-renowned master sculptor and educator Elton Braithwaite. Currently, in a world where there seems to be more questions than answers, Braithwaite is enjoying a peaceful existence because of his commitment to creativity, humility and happiness. Born in Jamaica, Braithwaite began sculpting by chance and his art engaged audiences since he first started teaching himself with “a screwdriver and slab of wood with no direction.” He then began selling his creations in front of his childhood home with bamboo and wood pieces he would find. His talent was undeniable which led a tourist couple to gift him tools after they became one of his first customers. He remembers his humble beginnings with joy, which is seen throughout his work as he describes, “One of my models is to show the world that we still have to go back to our past [as] the past is revelation…which is our roots.”
His indisputable talent guided his success, while his altruism elevated his work to inspire consciousness. Braithwaite’s work begins with respect for wood and its vitality within humanity. He doesn’t force his art, nor can you commission a specific idea. Braithwaite connects with each medium he intends on sculpting and develops his art from a place of intuition and honor. He describes that each piece of wood speaks to him. Braithwaite explains, “In every tree lives a spirit…Every tree is alive which means it has blood like me and you.”
The community is essential to Braithwaite’s work and philosophy as he believes, “community has a lot to do with your creative ability.” From the gift of his first professional art tools, to training under master sculptors, to recycling wood, to consistent wood donations, Braithwaite has a reverence for the concept of community and celebrates the interconnectedness of our world. This is the foundation of his decades career in art and culture education as well. Elton Braithwaite has built a culturally competent and socially relevant curriculum that he has taught across Western Massachusetts from the elementary to the collegiate levels.
Over the span of his 44-year career, Braithwaite has exhibited internationally and created over 3,500 pieces. His legacy is undoubtedly his artistry; however, his dedication to the youth, social emotional learning, identity development, and historical awareness through art is exemplary as well. Within his success, his journey has had moments of true uncertainty, like a life threatening experience he had to previously overcome. Braithwaite advises that, “Anything that you love, put your whole heart in it. Don’t take it as a joke, because we only live one time.” Because of his faith in his purpose, respect for the individual, dedication to the collective and his devotion to radiating love, Elton Braithwaite has been able to use his passion to find inner peace and cherishes that freedom. ■